Alan Roper, managing director of Blue Diamond, told suppliers to “knock our door down if you have products that are right for us” as he outlined his vision for the future to GIMA members.  This includes arranging the funding for a major acquisition. Read more - members only

Glee should be at capacity this year with increased bookings and well-known names returning. New features will include the Retail Power List and the PetQuip Village. Read more - members only

With weather forecasters predicting a scorching Easter weekend, says Worldpay, Britain’s garden centres could see record-breaking trade in the next four weeks. Landscapers are also having a good time. Read more - members only

Online garden furniture retailer White Stores has opened its first concession at Yarnton Nurseries Garden Centre in Oxfordshire as a pilot. Read more - members only

See pictures of the new Percy Thrower’s, the first garden centre designed by the current Wyevale management.  Week one sales shot it into the group’s top five. Read more - members only

Headline speakers at next month’s GIMA day conference include Julian Winfield and Conna Powles from Haskins Garden Centres, and Alan Roper of Blue Diamond Group. Read more - members only

Bayer has failed in its attempt to sue Friends of the Earth Germany over its claims that thiacloprid, a pesticide manufactured by Bayer, harms bees. Read more - members only

The Telegraph speculates that the new chief executive of Kingfisher, who faces pressure on all fronts, will introduce major changes including store closures and modernising at B&Q. Read more - members only

William Sinclair has announced the departure of Peter Rush as chief executive with immediate effect.  He is replaced by a turnaround specialist after a poor start to the spring.

Scotts Miracle-Gro is spending £7.5m this spring and summer on TV campaigns to drive customers in store.  The advertising will start to air week commencing 30th March. Read more - members only

The growing presence of online retailers was clear at the Garden Press Event with two established sites and two newcomers, one launched at the show and one being mysterious about its launch plans. Read more - members only

Comments by Wyevale’s CEO, amplified by press speculation, have set the garden rumour mill turning at full speed.  It appears that many are expecting a Dobbies purchase any day.  They seem likely to have a long wait. Read more - members only

The country’s gardening press converge on the Barbican on Thursday to get fresh ideas to write about this spring.  What will catch their interest at the Garden Press Event? Read more - members only

Blue Diamond has acquired Newbridge Nurseries, near Horsham bringing the number of garden centres in the group to 17.  With this latest addition Blue Diamond sales are forecast to top £85m this year. Read more - members only

The GCA conference ended with the presentation of top awards to Cedar Associates, Cowell’s and Barton Grange.  10 garden centres won the coveted garden centre of excellence plaque. Read more - members only

Toolbank’s distribution agreement with Crest Garden has given it a platform to dig into the garden market. Garden centre buyers are being invited to register for the distributor’s spring trade shows. Read more - members only

“One” Kingfisher is the goal for the new CEO as she seeks to bring its businesses together to create a Europe wide offer. Gardening and bathrooms are first on the list. Also, B&Q is to close 60 stores. Read more - members only

Scotts has launched a free mobile app in the USA that gives users their own lawn care plan.  It could be adpated for the UK. Read more - members only

Sales director David Higginson has purchased the entire share capital of Evesham-based New Leaf following Peter Hoddinott’s retirement and plans are underway to resite the company at Hill View Nurseries in nearby Sedgeberrow. Read more - members only

Hayes pilots a nationwide delivery service for online sales having nearly completed a £5m re-development project. Last season it sold over £500,000 Christmas trees online. Read more - members only

End of year results from Home Retail show Homebase closed 30 stores in the last 12 months. 2015 sales have started lower. Read more - members only

It has been announced that Home & Garden has acquired its 8th garden centre but the group, which was formed only last year, is not well known within the industry. Read more - members only

One year into a 3 year expansion project and Carr Farm Garden Centre has opened a restaurant and two new concessions. Read more - members only

Members of the Garden Centre Association started 2015 positively with sales up 6%, building on the 13% increase in January 2014.   However one in three garden centres missed out. Read more - members only

A new website for Westland, Showa’s bio-degradable gardening gloves, Eden Project seeds, a 10,000 strong Facebook community of Garden Goddesses and Hozelock’s electric weed killer were some of the innovations on show at the Garden Press event. Read more - members only

Continuing a campaign started last year DLF Trifolium accuses some competitors of continuing to cut corners by bulking out their lawn seed blends with unsuitable low grade seeds. Read more - members only

Arboretum, Ireland’s leading garden centre, has two reasons to celebrate.  It has been named National Store of the Year and has signed up to buy the National Garden Exhibition Centre. Read more - members only

The owner of Pyle Garden Centre is reported to have been let off a 6 month driving ban to keep his business afloat. Read more - members only

Having installed a biomass boiler in the autumn, Cobbins Nursery will shortly start construction of a new glass house ready for the poinsettia crop later in the year. Read more - members only

Sunshine Garden Centre and Van Hage are the best GCA outdoor living retailers.  Cowell’s and Bents are the best for plants. Read more - members only